1. Pharmacological Thromboprophylaxis for VTE Post-Endovenous Ablation of Varicose Veins: Network Meta-Analysis.
- Author
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Westby, Daniel, Gasior, Sara, Twyford, Mark, Power Foley, Megan, Lowery, Aoife, and Walsh, Stewart R.
- Subjects
THROMBOEMBOLISM prevention ,THROMBOEMBOLISM risk factors ,ANTICOAGULANTS ,MEDICAL information storage & retrieval systems ,ABLATION techniques ,LOW-molecular-weight heparin ,VEINS ,ENDOVASCULAR surgery ,VARICOSE veins ,META-analysis ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,SURGICAL complications ,MEDLINE ,ODDS ratio ,ENOXAPARIN ,SYSTEMATIC reviews ,MEDICAL databases ,CONFIDENCE intervals ,DATA analysis software ,PREVENTIVE health services ,RIVAROXABAN ,DISEASE risk factors - Abstract
Objective: Endovenous ablation has revolutionized treatment of varicose vein surgery but is associated with a risk of venous thromboembolism. There is no consensus regarding anticoagulation protocols for these patients. This network meta-analysis (NMA) aims to identify which anticoagulant is optimal in this cohort for clot prevention with minimal risk of adverse bleeding events. Methods: Library databases were searched for studies where patients were treated with one or more anticoagulants following endovenous ablation for varicose veins. The methodological quality of included studies was quantified using the Risk of Bias (ROB) assessment tools. Findings were reported using the meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology (MOOSE) checklist. Statistical analysis was carried out using metainsight (rpackage). Results: Observational data on just under 1500 patients prescribed post ablation anticoagulation (Rivaroxaban, Enoxaparin, Fondaparinux) were analyzed. Patient characteristics were comparable across the cohorts. 81 thrombotic and 40 minor bleeding events occurred in total. Overall rivaroxaban is found to be superior to the other agents. Conclusions: This NMA indicates that prophylactic rivaroxaban is the highest ranked anticoagulant for thromboprophylaxis in patients post endovenous ablation for varicose veins, with a low risk of adverse bleeding. The choice whether to anticoagulate these patients is likely to remain at the discretion of the treating clinician. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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